"I saw unacceptable and unprofessional standards of cleanliness"

I wish to inform of my experience of Stepping Hill when admitted to A+E on the 25th December 2010.

This visit came about due to having my testicle removed and infection setting in.

I was initially seen at approximately lunch time, assessed and given antibiotics all within half an hour (excellent service).

All staff seen were professional, courteous and efficient with an understanding and pleasant manor.

I then came back to A+E at approximately 10.20pm on the same day due to abnormal swelling from the side the testicle was removed; this swelling was the size of an orange by this time and proving to be extremely painful.

I booked in and waited for half an hour before I requested again to be seen by an assessment nurse, this nurse, scowled constantly during our meeting.

I explained the problem and recommended a basic examination so she could appreciate the magnitude of this issue. She told me to lie on the bed and remove my trousers which I did, I then realised she had not pulled the curtain fully and had to get down to do this myself.

She then commented that she had seen bigger swelling and I should be seen within 4 hours.

I found this response and her attitude as a whole, un-helpful and un-sympathetic.

I was then admitted to ward C6 where found the majority of the staff were pleasant.

This good work was unfortunately undone when I was being woken up in the middle of the night for a sample, which continued for the next two nights.

When I enquired why this was, a nurse read my notes at the end of the bed and admitted that these were for the wrong patient. When the correct notes were replaced my medication changed immediately leading me to believe that I may have been given the wrong medication.

After one day on the correct medication there was another mix-up and I believe all my medication stopped apart from my erythromycin which I provide myself and I am on constantly due to a spleenectomy 15 years ago.

By this time the swelling was painful and enormous, but I believe that the correct antibiotics were not given for another two days.

I have also had an issue with two doctors/consultants doing the rounds wearing casual clothing.

On the 27th December one of the professional staff, who I would expect to be dressed appropriately, came to my bed to examine me wearing dirty trainers, ripped and frayed jeans, a hoodie and no ID.

When I pointed out that I had never been examined by a hoodie before they said they had dressed down because it was Xmas.

I do have to say that all the cleaning staff were brilliant, professional throughout and pleasant but are let down by others.

As I was admitted due to infection and taking into consideration all the other infection problems in hospitals today, I consider this conduct totally unacceptable and an unprofessional way for a hospital to operate.

I look forward to your response.